Page 46 - Ebook bonsai for beginner

example to tie a lot of young plants together and let them fuse to build

one strong single trunk. Fig trees also react very well to approach-
grafting of branches and roots and to other grafting techniques. If the
growing conditions are ideal, even aerial roots taken from one part of the
tree can be grafted in a different position. For faster closing of large
wounds young plants, shoots or aerial roots can be grafted across the
wound. The grower can work on fig trees with nearly unlimited creativity,
which increases the appeal of ficus as a Bonsai plant considerably.

Repotting: Repot the tree during spring every other year, using a basic

soil mixture. Ficus tolerates root-pruning very well.
Propagation: Cuttings can be planted at any time of the year, but highest

success is with mid-summer growth. Airlayering will work best in spring
(April – May). Growing ficus plants from seed in spring also works easily
in most cases.

Acquisition: Ficus plants are available as cheap Bonsai or pot plants in
nearly every home-store, building supplies store or nursery. Mass-
produced cheap Bonsai in most cases bring a lot of problems with them,
like ugly scars from rusty wire that bit into the bark, unattractive shapes,
often poorly grafted branches in odd positions, bad soil and sometimes

inappropriate pots without drainage holes. These trees are an affordable
way to start growing Bonsai though. Specialized Bonsai traders offer
everything from young plants, pre-Bonsai and pre-styled ficus trees up to
high-value Bonsai, in most cases well-tended and of good quality.

Pests / diseases: The fig species are quite resistant against pests.
Depending on the location, especially in winter, a number of problems
can occur anyway. Dry air and a lack of light weaken the ficus and often
result in leaf drop. In a poor condition like this, ficus are sometimes

infested with scale or spider mites. Customary systemic insecticide sticks
to put into the soil or insecticide / miticide sprays will work, but the
weakened ficus’ living conditions must also be improved. Plant lamps
(shining 12 – 14 hours a day) and frequent misting of the leaves during
the recovery can be helpful.